Return On Investment

[Delta Mining Corp.]

Part 2


The (\^/)Ganymede rattled briefly as the stations docking clamp took hold of the giant vessel. The liner itself was in fact larger then the small station and care would have to be taken not to rip the station in two. Dirk had been carefully observing the station on approach. While the station had the appearance of normalcy about it, the astute eye could see the slight change in colour between the original and freshly placed panels at dock C. It was clear to Dirk that the station had been struck by some object, likely another ship, and recently repaired. Something unusual had happened here, even for the wild space known as Omicron Delta. Dirk had not been in Delta for some weeks as an astral anomaly had been lashing out at Phoenix's home base of Kadesh Orbital. The station was still under stabilization measures, but Christian Burton had felt comfortable leaving the restoration of the facility to the other senior officers and giving Dirk leave to seek new trade opportunities for Phoenix. Dirk had, incidentally enough, made a sizable investment in a small mining start-up known as Delta Mining Corp.. Looking back now at the investment data sheet, he realized just how drunk he at been at the Freeport 11 Bar and Grill that evening. 100,000,000 Credits he had deposited at the finance office without even meeting the base commander or other investors. Dirk was amazed that there was even a facility even built, as charlatans and scam artists were nearly as abundant in Delta as the blue crystalline entities that were a constant harassment to shipping in the sector. Still, there was an opportunity now to acquire the complete rights to the station, but Dirk had no idea how abundant that opportunity had become.

Several transmissions had been received by Dirk as the (\^/)Ganymede entered the system. Mostly just news and financial updates as well as some investigative reports from the local police forces (if the Bounty Hunter Core could be referred to as such a thing). Two ships had been lost in was appeared to be an accident close to DMC, to which no survivors were found. The official report had stated pilot error and equipment failure as the cause of the incident, which had left DMC adrift and clinging to life for about a week and a half. Dirk had to give the stations commander, Richard Regan, credit as the station had appeared to have been towed to a new high orbit over the gas giant, Tuvalu, close to the Iridium fields in the SE quadrant of the system. He knew that most commanders would have abandoned the project after multiple fatalities and significant damage to the station leaving it in a near derelict state and adrift in hostile alien infested space. But yet here was DMC in all its glory, a bright beacon contrasted against the purple and black leviathan of a nebula that contained the valuable ores so recently placed in huge demand all over Sirius. Dirk had made several attempts to contact other investors en-route to the station, but searches only returned vague details of their apparent demise. The Core was not exactly well know for their investigative abilities. There were also records of transfer of ownership of holdings of the deceased shareholders to family members, and subsequent sale of said shares to the local financial offices at the Freeport. Outstanding shares are now being valued at around 250,000,000 credits, to be sold to 'approved parties only, upon request in person', a statement that Dirk had never seen before in regards to a publicly traded offering. Dirk had left instructions with the Ganymedes executive officer to contact him as soon as another Phoenix vessel had entered the system, and to instruct the ship to head directly to Freeport 11 to investigate and standby for further orders.

With orders set, he proceeded to the airlock, and upon the familiar hiss and clank of the pressure system doing its job, Dirk entered the tiny outpost. The passenger receiving area was certainly well kept and appointed, but not overly fancy. The main focal point of the room was a statue of a goddess with long white flowing robes and alabaster skin tone. A small plaque revealed that this was the ancient Earth 'Greek' society's goddess Iris, to which Iridium had been given her name sake. Dirk had never see the colour grey used in so many shades and hues before. He stood out like a sore thumb against the walls in his royal blue flight-suit with cyan Phoenix insignia. He was quickly met by comely young woman, neatly dressed in a grey woman's business suit. Has it not been for her shock of red hair, Dirk may not have noticed her at all. “Mr.Danger? My name is Marissia Maltisse, Mr.Regans personal Secretary.” She looked at Dirk softly, but with a certain reservation he could not quite put his finger on. “Would you please accompany me to the boardroom where Mr.Regan will join you shortly?” Dirk flashed his wide smile at the young lady and in his trademark Planet Houston drawl replied, “Ma'am, I haven't said no to a pretty redhead yet and I will not start today. And please, call me Dirk.” The hint of a blush penetrated her pale makeup, and a glimmer of a smile just barely made her lips turn up at the ends. “Please follow me Mr...” She caught herself mid sentence “ Rather, Please follow me, Dirk” This last statement almost sounded like a secret whispered between lovers on a distant planet. Dirk followed here down the main walkway of the station. A few off duty workers and officers milled about, paying no mind to the new stranger among them. It was clear to Dirk that is was in-fact a well organized and disciplined station, in spite of his prior concerns about it being merely a husk for a scam that he had drunkenly bought into. The place was tidy, shift schedules were posted on info screens and smelt of pure recycled and enriched air. But why did he still have a lingering feeling that there was a greater secret in play here? The only missing piece now was Regan himself, and Dirk knew that the secret likely sat within him and him alone. Marissia turned a corner and stopped suddenly, she turned to him and stared straight into his eyes. “Were here... Dirk. Mr. Regan is inside.” She looked at him and Dirk could sense the anticipation pouring off her in waves. “Good luck, Sir. And thank you for vising DMC.” And with that she curtly turned on her heels and smartly walked off around the corner and out of sight. Dirk turned back towards the boardroom door, and pressed the panel to activate the sliding magnetically controlled door. The boardroom was just as grey as the rest of the station. Grey carpets and walls with a dark grey table surrounded what can only be described as ash coloured high back chairs. At the head of this table was a average but smug looking man, roughly 5'10 and 160lbs. He was wearing the same uniform as the rest of the crew, except for the green piece of cloth on his left shoulder, stuffed into the place where insignia or rank identifiers would go on a uniform. “Mr. Danger!” Exclaimed Richard, “ Welcome to Delta Mining Corporation! I have been looking forward to finally meeting you Sir! Please come sit and let me pour us some drinks.” Richard made his way to a small service cart next to the large table. “I hope you like Houston's Finest whisky good sir, I acquired this case awhile ago in preparation of your visit.” Richard popped an ice cube each into two glasses and poured “You've done some research Mr. Regan, and please let me compliment you on the fine facility you are running here. You really seem to have things in good order here, especially seeing the circumstances you have endured.” Dirk walked towards the table and took the seat opposite to Richard. Richard came back with Dirk's drink and placed it in front of him, and returned to his seat at the opposite end of the table. “Well I do make and effort Mr. Danger. Where would you like to start?”......

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